Microfluidically Assisted Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate Submicron Particles with Improved Loading Properties

The development of advanced methods for the synthesis of nano- and microparticles in the field of biomedicine is of high interest due to a range of reasons. The current synthesis methods may have limitations in terms of efficiency, scalability, and uniformity of the particles. Here, we investigate the synthesis of submicron calcium carbonate using a microfluidic chip with a T-shaped oil supply for droplet-based synthesis to facilitate control over the formation of submicron calcium carbonate particles. The design of the chip allowed for the precise manipulation of reaction parameters, resulting in improved porosity while maintaining an efficient synthesis rate. The pore size distribution within calcium carbonate particles was estimated via small-angle X-ray scattering. This study showed that the high porosity and reduced size of the particles facilitated the higher loading of a model peptide: 16 vs. 9 mass.% for the particles synthesized in a microfluidic device and in bulk, correspondingly. The biosafety of the developed particles in the concentration range of 0.08-0.8 mg per plate was established by the results of the cytotoxicity study using mouse fibroblasts. This innovative approach of microfluidically assisted synthesis provides a promising avenue for future research in the field of particle synthesis and drug delivery systems.

Selection of Aptamers for Use as Molecular Probes in AFM Detection of Proteins

Currently, there is great interest in the development of highly sensitive bioanalytical systems for diagnosing diseases at an early stage, when pathological biomarkers are present in biological fluids at low concentrations and there are no clinical manifestations. A promising direction is the use of molecular detectors-highly sensitive devices that detect signals from single biomacromolecules. A typical detector in this class is the atomic force microscope (AFM). The high sensitivity of an AFM-based bioanalysis system is determined by the size of the sensing element of an atomic force microscope-the cantilever-the radius of the curvature of which is comparable to that of a biomolecule. Biospecific molecular probe-target interactions are used to ensure detection system specificity. Antibodies, aptamers, synthetic antibodies, and peptides can be used as molecular probes. This study has demonstrated the possibility of using aptamers as molecular probes for AFM-based detection of the ovarian cancer biomarker CA125. Antigen detection in a nanomolar solution was carried out using AFM chips with immobilized aptamers, commercially available or synthesized based on sequences from open sources. Both aptamer types can be used for antigen detection, but the availability of sequence information enables additional modeling of the aptamer structure with allowance for modifications necessary for immobilization of the aptamer on an AFM chip surface. Information on the structure and oligomeric composition of aptamers in the solution was acquired by combining small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular modeling. Modeling enabled pre-selection, before the experimental stage, of aptamers for use as surface-immobilized molecular probes.

Small-angle x-ray scattering investigation of the integration of free fatty acids in polysorbate 20 micelles

A critical quality attribute for liquid formulations is the absence of visible particles. Such particles may form upon polysorbate hydrolysis resulting in release of free fatty acids into solution followed by precipitation. Strategies to avoid this effect are of major interest for the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, we investigated the structural organization of polysorbate micelles alone and upon addition of the fatty acid myristic acid (MA) by small-angle x-ray scattering. Two complementary approaches using a model of polydisperse core-shell ellipsoidal micelles and an ensemble of quasiatomistic micelle structures gave consistent results well describing the experimental data. The small-angle x-ray scattering data reveal polydisperse mixtures of ellipsoidal micelles containing about 22-35 molecules per micelle. The addition of MA at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL reveals only marginal effects on the scattering data. At the same time, addition of high amounts of MA (>500 μg/mL) increases the average sizes of the micelles indicating that MA penetrates into the surfactant micelles. These results together with molecular modeling shed light on the polysorbate contribution to fatty acid solubilization preventing or delaying fatty acid particle formation.

Development of DNA Aptamers for Visualization of Glial Brain Tumors and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells

Here, we present DNA aptamers capable of specific binding to glial tumor cells in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for visualization diagnostics of central nervous system tumors. We selected the aptamers binding specifically to the postoperative human glial primary tumors and not to the healthy brain cells and meningioma, using a modified process of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment to cells; sequenced and analyzed ssDNA pools using bioinformatic tools and identified the best aptamers by their binding abilities; determined three-dimensional structures of lead aptamers (Gli-55 and Gli-233) with small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular modeling; isolated and identified molecular target proteins of the aptamers by mass spectrometry; the potential binding sites of Gli-233 to the target protein and the role of post-translational modifications were verified by molecular dynamics simulations. The anti-glioma aptamers Gli-233 and Gli-55 were used to detect circulating tumor cells in liquid biopsies. These aptamers were used for in situ, ex vivo tissue staining, histopathological analyses, and fluorescence-guided tumor and PET/CT tumor visualization in mice with xenotransplanted human astrocytoma. The aptamers did not show in vivo toxicity in the preclinical animal study. This study demonstrates the potential applications of aptamers for precise diagnostics and fluorescence-guided surgery of brain tumors.

Local Flexibility of a New Single-Ring Chaperonin Encoded by Bacteriophage AR9 Bacillus subtilis

Chaperonins, a family of molecular chaperones, assist protein folding in all domains of life. They are classified into two groups: bacterial variants and those present in endosymbiotic organelles of eukaryotes belong to group I, while group II includes chaperonins from the cytosol of archaea and eukaryotes. Recently, chaperonins of a prospective new group were discovered in giant bacteriophages; however, structures have been determined for only two of them. Here, using cryo-EM, we resolved a structure of a new chaperonin encoded by gene 228 of phage AR9 B. subtilis. This structure has similarities and differences with members of both groups, as well as with other known phage chaperonins, which further proves their diversity.

The USR domain of USF1 mediates NF-Y interactions and cooperative DNA binding

The trimeric CCAAT-binding NF-Y is a "pioneer" Transcription Factor -TF- known to cooperate with neighboring TFs to regulate gene expression. Genome-wide analyses detected a precise stereo-alignment -10/12 bp- of CCAAT with E-box elements and corresponding colocalization of NF-Y with basic-Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) TFs. We dissected here NF-Y interactions with USF1 and MAX. USF1, but not MAX, cooperates in DNA binding with NF-Y. NF-Y and USF1 synergize to activate target promoters. Reconstruction of complexes by structural means shows independent DNA binding of MAX, whereas USF1 has extended contacts with NF-Y, involving the USR, a USF-specific amino acid sequence stretch required for trans-activation. The USR is an intrinsically disordered domain and adopts different conformations based on E-box-CCAAT distances. Deletion of the USR abolishes cooperative DNA binding with NF-Y. Our data indicate that the functionality of certain unstructured domains involves adapting to small variation in stereo-alignments of the multimeric TFs sites.

EFAMIX, a tool to decompose inline chromatography SAXS data from partially overlapping components

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) is an established technique for structural analysis of biological macromolecules in solution. During the last decade, inline chromatography setups coupling SAXS with size exclusion (SEC‐SAXS) or ion exchange (IEC‐SAXS) have become popular in the community. These setups allow one to separate individual components in the sample and to record SAXS data from isolated fractions, which is extremely important for subsequent data interpretation, analysis, and structural modeling. However, in case of partially overlapping elution peaks, inline chromatography SAXS may still yield scattering profiles from mixtures of components. The deconvolution of these scattering data into the individual fractions is nontrivial and potentially ambiguous. We describe a cross‐platform computer program, EFAMIX, for restoring the scattering and concentration profiles of the components based on the evolving factor analysis (EFA). The efficiency of the program is demonstrated in a number of simulated and experimental SEC‐SAXS data sets. Sensitivity and limitations of the method are explored, and its applicability to IEC‐SAXS data is discussed. EFAMIX requires minimal user intervention and is available to academic users through the program package ATSAS as from release 3.1.

The Cytoplasmic Tail of Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin and Membrane Lipid Composition Change the Mode of M1 Protein Association with the Lipid Bilayer

Influenza A virus envelope contains lipid molecules of the host cell and three integral viral proteins: major hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and minor M2 protein. Membrane-associated M1 matrix protein is thought to interact with the lipid bilayer and cytoplasmic domains of integral viral proteins to form infectious virus progeny. We used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and complementary techniques to analyze the interactions of different components of the viral envelope with M1 matrix protein. Small unilamellar liposomes composed of various mixtures of synthetic or "native" lipids extracted from Influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virions as well as proteoliposomes built from the viral lipids and anchored peptides of integral viral proteins (mainly, hemagglutinin) were incubated with isolated M1 and measured using SAXS. The results imply that M1 interaction with phosphatidylserine leads to condensation of the lipid in the protein-contacting monolayer, thus resulting in formation of lipid tubules. This effect vanishes in the presence of the liquid-ordered (raft-forming) constituents (sphingomyelin and cholesterol) regardless of their proportion in the lipid bilayer. We also detected a specific role of the hemagglutinin anchoring peptides in ordering of viral lipid membrane into the raft-like one. These peptides stimulate the oligomerization of M1 on the membrane to form a viral scaffold for subsequent budding of the virion from the plasma membrane of the infected cell.

ATSAS 3.0: expanded functionality and new tools for small-angle scattering data analysis

The ATSAS software suite encompasses a number of programs for the processing, visualization, analysis and modelling of small-angle scattering data, with a focus on the data measured from biological macromolecules. Here, new developments in the ATSAS 3.0 package are described. They include IMSIM, for simulating isotropic 2D scattering patterns; IMOP, to perform operations on 2D images and masks; DATRESAMPLE, a method for variance estimation of structural invariants through parametric resampling; DATFT, which computes the pair distance distribution function by a direct Fourier transform of the scattering data; PDDFFIT, to compute the scattering data from a pair distance distribution function, allowing comparison with the experimental data; a new module in DATMW for Bayesian consensus-based concentration-independent molecular weight estimation; DATMIF, an ab initio shape analysis method that optimizes the search model directly against the scattering data; DAMEMB, an application to set up the initial search volume for multiphase modelling of membrane proteins; ELLLIP, to perform quasi-atomistic modelling of liposomes with elliptical shapes; NMATOR, which models conformational changes in nucleic acid structures through normal mode analysis in torsion angle space; DAMMIX, which reconstructs the shape of an unknown intermediate in an evolving system; and LIPMIX and BILMIX, for modelling multilamellar and asymmetric lipid vesicles, respectively. In addition, technical updates were deployed to facilitate maintainability of the package, which include porting the PRIMUS graphical interface to Qt5, updating SASpy - a PyMOL plugin to run a subset of ATSAS tools - to be both Python 2 and 3 compatible, and adding utilities to facilitate mmCIF compatibility in future ATSAS releases. All these features are implemented in ATSAS 3.0, freely available for academic users at https://www.embl-hamburg.de/biosaxs/software.html.

Restoring structural parameters of lipid mixtures from small-angle X-ray scattering data

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is widely utilized to study soluble macromolecules, including those embedded into lipid carriers and delivery systems such as surfactant micelles, phospho-lipid vesicles and bilayered nanodiscs. To adequately describe the scattering from such systems, one needs to account for both the form factor (overall structure) and long-range-order Bragg reflections emerging from the organization of bilayers, which is a non-trivial task. Presently existing methods separate the analysis of lipid mixtures into distinct procedures using form-factor fitting and the fitting of the Bragg peak regions. This article describes a general approach for the computation and analysis of SAXS data from lipid mixtures over the entire angular range of an experiment. The approach allows one to restore the electron density of a lipid bilayer and simultaneously recover the corresponding size distribution and multilamellar organization of the vesicles. The method is implemented in a computer program, LIPMIX, and its performance is demonstrated on an aqueous solution of layered lipid vesicles undergoing an extrusion process. The approach is expected to be useful for the analysis of various types of lipid-based systems, e.g. for the characterization of interactions between target drug molecules and potential carrier/delivery systems.

Towards a solution of the inverse X-ray diffraction tomography challenge: theory and iterative algorithm for recovering the 3D displacement field function of Coulomb-type point defects in a crystal

The theoretical framework and a joint quasi-Newton-Levenberg-Marquardt-simulated annealing (qNLMSA) algorithm are established to treat an inverse X-ray diffraction tomography (XRDT) problem for recovering the 3D displacement field function f_Ctpd(r - r₀) = h · u(r - r₀) due to a Coulomb-type point defect (Ctpd) located at a point r₀ within a crystal [h is the diffraction vector and u(r - r₀) is the displacement vector]. The joint qNLMSA algorithm operates in a special sequence to optimize the XRDT target function {\cal F}\{ {\cal P} \} in a χ² sense in order to recover the function f_Ctpd(r - r₀) [{\cal P} is the parameter vector that characterizes the 3D function f_Ctpd(r - r₀) in the algorithm search]. A theoretical framework based on the analytical solution of the Takagi-Taupin equations in the semi-kinematical approach is elaborated. In the case of true 2D imaging patterns (2D-IPs) with low counting statistics (noise-free), the joint qNLMSA algorithm enforces the target function {\cal F} \{ {\cal P} \} to tend towards the global minimum even if the vector {\cal P} in the search is initially chosen rather a long way from the true one.

BILMIX: a new approach to restore the size polydispersity and electron density profiles of lipid bilayers from liposomes using small-angle X-ray scattering data

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is one of the major tools for the study of model membranes, but interpretation of the scattering data remains non-trivial. Current approaches allow the extraction of some structural parameters and the electron density profile of lipid bilayers. Here it is demonstrated that parametric modelling can be employed to determine the polydispersity of spherical or ellipsoidal vesicles and describe the electron density profile across the lipid bilayer. This approach is implemented in the computer program BILMIX. BILMIX delivers a description of the electron density of a lipid bilayer from SAXS data and simultaneously generates the corresponding size distribution of the unilamellar lipid vesicles.

X-Ray Diffraction Tomography Recovery of the 3D Displacement-Field Function of the Coulomb-Type Point Defect in a Crystal

A successive approach to the solution of the inverse problem of the X-ray diffraction tomography (XRDT) is proposed. It is based on the semi-kinematical solution of the dynamical Takagi–Taupin equations for the σ-polarized diffracted wave amplitude. Theoretically, the case of the Coulomb-type point defect in a single crystal Si(111) under the exact conditions of the symmetric Laue diffraction for a set of the tilted X-ray topography 2D-images (2D projections) is considered provided that the plane-parallel sample is rotated around the diffraction vector [\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\bar{{\bf{2}}}$$\end{document}2¯20]. The iterative simulated annealing (SA) and quasi-Newton gradient descent (qNGD) algorithm codes are used for a recovery of the 3D displacement-field function of the Coulomb-type point defect. The computer recovery data of the 3D displacement-field function related to the one XRDT 2D projection are presented. It is proved that the semi-kinematical approach to the solution of the dynamical Takagi–Taupin equations is effective for recovering the 3D displacement-field function even for the one XRDT 2D projection.

Dodecamers derived from the crystal structure were found in the pre-crystallization solution of the transaminase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermobaculum terrenum by small-angle X-ray scattering

The pre-crystallization solution of the transaminase from Thermobaculum terrenum (TaTT) has been studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Regular changes in the oligomeric composition of the protein were observed after the addition of the precipitant. Comparison of the observed oligomers with the crystal structure of TaTT (PDB ID 6GKR) shows that dodecamers may act as building blocks in the growth of transaminase single crystals. Correlating of these results to the similar X-ray studies of other proteins suggests that SAXS may be a valuable tool for searching optimum crystallization conditions. AbbreviationSAXSsmall-angle X-ray scatteringTatransaminaseTaTTtransaminase from Thermobaculum terrenumPLPpyridoxal-5'-phosphateR-PEAR-(þ)-1-phenylethylamineBCATbranched-chain amino acid aminotransferaseDAATD-aminoacid aminotransferaseR-TAR-amine:pyruvate transaminaseCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Octa-repeat domain of the mammalian prion protein mRNA forms stable A-helical hairpin structure rather than G-quadruplexes

Misfolding and aggregation of prion protein (PrP) causes neurodegenerative diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and scrapie. Besides the consensus that spontaneous conversion of normal cellular PrPC into misfolded and aggregating PrPSc is the central event in prion disease, an alternative hypothesis suggests the generation of pathological PrPSc by rare translational frameshifting events in the octa-repeat domain of the PrP mRNA. Ribosomal frameshifting most commonly relies on a slippery site and an adjacent stable RNA structure to stall translating ribosome. Hence, it is crucial to unravel the secondary structure of the octa-repeat domain of PrP mRNA. Each of the five octa-repeats contains a motif (GGCGGUGGUGGCUGGG) which alone in vitro forms a G-quadruplex. Since the propensity of mRNA to form secondary structure depends on the sequence context, we set to determine the structure of the complete octa-repeat region. We assessed the structure of full-length octa-repeat domain of PrP mRNA using dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analysis by primer extension (SHAPE). Our data show that the PrP octa-repeat mRNA forms stable A-helical hairpins with no evidence of G-quadruplex structure even in the presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing agents.

Direct shape determination of intermediates in evolving macromolecular solutions from small-angle scattering data

Many important biological processes like amyloid formation, viral assembly etc. can be monitored in vitro. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is one of the most effective techniques to structurally characterize these processes in solution. For monodisperse systems and some oligomeric mixtures, low-resolution shapes can be determined ab initio from the SAXS data, but for evolving systems, such analysis is hampered by the presence of multiple species and no direct reconstruction procedures are available. The authors consider a frequently occurring case where the scattering from the initial and final states of the process are known but there exists a major (unknown) intermediate component. A method is presented to directly reconstruct the low-resolution shape of this transient component together with its volume fractions from multiple scattering patterns recorded from an evolving system. The method is implemented in the computer program DAMMIX freely available to academic users and its effectiveness is illustrated in several synthetic and experimental examples.

Optical and Structural Characterization of a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia DNA Biosensor

Selective base pairing is the foundation of DNA recognition. Here, we elucidate the molecular and structural details of a FRET-based two-component molecular beacon relying on steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), microscale thermophoresis (MST), and differential electrophoretic mobility. This molecular beacon was designed to detect the most common fusion sequences causing chronic myeloid leukemia, e14a2 and e13a2. The emission spectra indicate that the self-assembly of the different components of the biosensor occurs sequentially, triggered by the fully complementary target. We further assessed the structural alterations leading to the specific fluorescence FRET signature by SAXS, MST, and the differential electrophoretic mobility, where the size range observed is consistent with hybridization and formation of a 1:1:1 complex for the probe in the presence of the complementary target and revelator. These results highlight the importance of different techniques to explore conformational DNA changes in solution and its potential to design and characterize molecular biosensors for genetic disease diagnosis.

The Molecular Bases of the Dual Regulation of Bacterial Iron Sulfur Cluster Biogenesis by CyaY and IscX

IscX (or YfhJ) is a protein of unknown function which takes part in the iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery, a highly specialized and essential metabolic pathway. IscX binds to iron with low affinity and interacts with IscS, the desulfurase central to cluster assembly. Previous studies have suggested a competition between IscX and CyaY, the bacterial ortholog of frataxin, for the same binding surface of IscS. This competition could suggest a link between the two proteins with a functional significance. Using a hybrid approach based on nuclear magnetic resonance, small angle scattering and biochemical methods, we show here that IscX is a modulator of the inhibitory properties of CyaY: by competing for the same site on IscS, the presence of IscX rescues the rates of enzymatic cluster formation which are inhibited by CyaY. The effect is stronger at low iron concentrations, whereas it becomes negligible at high iron concentrations. These results strongly suggest the mechanism of the dual regulation of iron sulfur cluster assembly under the control of iron as the effector.

A dystroglycan mutation (p.Cys667Phe) associated to muscle-eye-brain disease with multicystic leucodystrophy results in ER-retention of the mutant protein

Dystroglycan (DG) is a cell adhesion complex composed by two subunits, the highly glycosylated α-DG and the transmembrane β-DG. In skeletal muscle, DG is involved in dystroglycanopathies, a group of heterogeneous muscular dystrophies characterized by a reduced glycosylation of α-DG. The genes mutated in secondary dystroglycanopathies are involved in the synthesis of O-mannosyl glycans and in the O-mannosylation pathway of α-DG. Mutations in the DG gene (DAG1), causing primary dystroglycanopathies, destabilize the α-DG core protein influencing its binding to modifying enzymes. Recently, a homozygous mutation (p.Cys699Phe) hitting the β-DG ectodomain has been identified in a patient affected by muscle-eye-brain disease with multicystic leucodystrophy, suggesting that other mechanisms than hypoglycosylation of α-DG could be implicated in dystroglycanopathies. Herein, we have characterized the DG murine mutant counterpart by transfection in cellular systems and high-resolution microscopy. We observed that the mutation alters the DG processing leading to retention of its uncleaved precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum. Accordingly, small-angle X-ray scattering data, corroborated by biochemical and biophysical experiments, revealed that the mutation provokes an alteration in the β-DG ectodomain overall folding, resulting in disulfide-associated oligomerization. Our data provide the first evidence of a novel intracellular mechanism, featuring an anomalous endoplasmic reticulum-retention, underlying dystroglycanopathy.

The effect of the pathological V72I, D109N and T190M missense mutations on the molecular structure of α-dystroglycan

Dystroglycan (DG) is a highly glycosylated protein complex that links the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix, mediating fundamental physiological functions such as mechanical stability of tissues, matrix organization and cell polarity. A crucial role in the glycosylation of the DG α subunit is played by its own N-terminal region that is required by the glycosyltransferase LARGE. Alteration in this O-glycosylation deeply impairs the high affinity binding to other extracellular matrix proteins such as laminins. Recently, three missense mutations in the gene encoding DG, mapped in the α-DG N-terminal region, were found to be responsible for hypoglycosylated states, causing congenital diseases of different severity referred as primary dystroglycanopaties.To gain insight on the molecular basis of these disorders, we investigated the crystallographic and solution structures of these pathological point mutants, namely V72I, D109N and T190M. Small Angle X-ray Scattering analysis reveals that these mutations affect the structures in solution, altering the distribution between compact and more elongated conformations. These results, supported by biochemical and biophysical assays, point to an altered structural flexibility of the mutant α-DG N-terminal region that may have repercussions on its interaction with LARGE and/or other DG-modifying enzymes, eventually reducing their catalytic efficiency.

Block and Gradient Copoly(2-oxazoline) Micelles: Strikingly Different on the Inside

Herein, we provide a direct proof for differences in the micellar structure of amphiphilic diblock and gradient copolymers, thereby unambiguously demonstrating the influence of monomer distribution along the polymer chains on the micellization behavior. The internal structure of amphiphilic block and gradient co poly(2-oxazolines) based on the hydrophilic poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) and the hydrophobic poly(2-phenyl-2-oxazoline) (PPhOx) was studied in water and water-ethanol mixtures by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS), and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Contrast matching SANS experiments revealed that block copolymers form micelles with a uniform density profile of the core. In contrast to popular assumption, the outer part of the core of the gradient copolymer micelles has a distinctly higher density than the middle of the core. We attribute the latter finding to back-folding of chains resulting from hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions, leading to a new type of micelles that we refer to as micelles with a "bitterball-core" structure.

Octamer formation in lysozyme solutions at the initial crystallization stage detected by small-angle neutron scattering

Solutions of lysozyme in heavy water were studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) at concentrations of 40, 20 and 10 mg ml^-1 with and without the addition of precipitant, and at temperatures of 10, 20 and 30°C. In addition to the expected protein monomers, dimeric and octameric species were identified in solutions at the maximum concentration and close to the optimal conditions for crystallization. An optimal temperature for octamer formation was identified and both deviation from this temperature and a reduction in protein concentration led to a significant decrease in the volume fractions of octamers detected. In the absence of precipitant, only monomers and a minor fraction of dimers are present in solution.

ATSAS 2.8: a comprehensive data analysis suite for small-angle scattering from macromolecular solutions

Developments and improvements of the ATSAS software suite (versions 2.5–2.8) for analysis of small-angle scattering data of biological macromolecules or nanoparticles are described.

ATSAS is a comprehensive software suite for the analysis of small-angle scattering data from dilute solutions of biological macromolecules or nanoparticles. It contains applications for primary data processing and assessment, ab initio bead modelling, and model validation, as well as methods for the analysis of flexibility and mixtures. In addition, approaches are supported that utilize information from X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or atomistic homology modelling to construct hybrid models based on the scattering data. This article summarizes the progress made during the 2.5–2.8 ATSAS release series and highlights the latest developments. These include AMBIMETER, an assessment of the reconstruction ambiguity of experimental data; DATCLASS, a multiclass shape classification based on experimental data; SASRES, for estimating the resolution of ab initio model reconstructions; CHROMIXS, a convenient interface to analyse in-line size exclusion chromatography data; SHANUM, to evaluate the useful angular range in measured data; SREFLEX, to refine available high-resolution models using normal mode analysis; SUPALM for a rapid superposition of low- and high-resolution models; and SASPy, the ATSAS plugin for interactive modelling in PyMOL. All these features and other improvements are included in the ATSAS release 2.8, freely available for academic users from https://www.embl-hamburg.de/biosaxs/software.html.

Combination of Whole Genome Sequencing, Linkage, and Functional Studies Implicates a Missense Mutation in Titin as a Cause of Autosomal Dominant Cardiomyopathy With Features of Left Ventricular Noncompaction

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background—

High throughput next-generation sequencing techniques have made whole genome sequencing accessible in clinical practice; however, the abundance of variation in the human genomes makes the identification of a disease-causing mutation on a background of benign rare variants challenging.

Methods and Results—

Here we combine whole genome sequencing with linkage analysis in a 3-generation family affected by cardiomyopathy with features of autosomal dominant left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. A missense mutation in the giant protein titin is the only plausible disease-causing variant that segregates with disease among the 7 surviving affected individuals, with interrogation of the entire genome excluding other potential causes. This A178D missense mutation, affecting a conserved residue in the second immunoglobulin-like domain of titin, was introduced in a bacterially expressed recombinant protein fragment and biophysically characterized in comparison to its wild-type counterpart. Multiple experiments, including size exclusion chromatography, small-angle x ray scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy suggest partial unfolding and domain destabilization in the presence of the mutation. Moreover, binding experiments in mammalian cells show that the mutation markedly impairs binding to the titin ligand telethonin.

Conclusions—

Here we present genetic and functional evidence implicating the novel A178D missense mutation in titin as the cause of a highly penetrant familial cardiomyopathy with features of left ventricular noncompaction. This expands the spectrum of titin’s roles in cardiomyopathies. It furthermore highlights that rare titin missense variants, currently often ignored or left uninterpreted, should be considered to be relevant for cardiomyopathies and can be identified by the approach presented here.

Rapid automated superposition of shapes and macromolecular models using spherical harmonics

A rapid algorithm to superimpose macromolecular models in Fourier space is proposed and implemented (SUPALM). The method uses a normalized integrated cross-term of the scattering amplitudes as a proximity measure between two three-dimensional objects. The reciprocal-space algorithm allows for direct matching of heterogeneous objects including high- and low-resolution models represented by atomic coordinates, beads or dummy residue chains as well as electron microscopy density maps and inhomogeneous multi-phase models (e.g. of protein-nucleic acid complexes). Using spherical harmonics for the computation of the amplitudes, the method is up to an order of magnitude faster than the real-space algorithm implemented in SUPCOMB by Kozin & Svergun [J. Appl. Cryst. (2001 ▸), 34, 33-41]. The utility of the new method is demonstrated in a number of test cases and compared with the results of SUPCOMB. The spherical harmonics algorithm is best suited for low-resolution shape models, e.g. those provided by solution scattering experiments, but also facilitates a rapid cross-validation against structural models obtained by other methods.

X-Ray Solution Scattering Study of Four Escherichia coli Enzymes Involved in Stationary-Phase Metabolism

The structural analyses of four metabolic enzymes that maintain and regulate the stationary growth phase of Escherichia coli have been performed primarily drawing on the results obtained from solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and other structural techniques. The proteins are (i) class I fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FbaB); (ii) inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase); (iii) 5-keto-4-deoxyuronate isomerase (KduI); and (iv) glutamate decarboxylase (GadA). The enzyme FbaB, that until now had an unknown structure, is predicted to fold into a TIM-barrel motif that form globular protomers which SAXS experiments show associate into decameric assemblies. In agreement with previously reported crystal structures, PPase forms hexamers in solution that are similar to the previously reported X-ray crystal structure. Both KduI and GadA that are responsible for carbohydrate (pectin) metabolism and acid stress responses, respectively, form polydisperse mixtures consisting of different oligomeric states. Overall the SAXS experiments yield additional insights into shape and organization of these metabolic enzymes and further demonstrate the utility of hybrid methods, i.e., solution SAXS combined with X-ray crystallography, bioinformatics and predictive 3D-structural modeling, as tools to enrich structural studies. The results highlight the structural complexity that the protein components of metabolic networks may adopt which cannot be fully captured using individual structural biology techniques.

Dual Role of the Active Site Residues of Thermus thermophilus 3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase: Chemical Catalysis and Domain Closure

The key active site residues K185, Y139, D217, D241, D245, and N102 of Thermus thermophilus 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (Tt-IPMDH) have been replaced, one by one, with Ala. A drastic decrease in the kcat value (0.06% compared to that of the wild-type enzyme) has been observed for the K185A and D241A mutants. Similarly, the catalytic interactions (Km values) of these two mutants with the substrate IPM are weakened by more than 1 order of magnitude. The other mutants retained some (1-13%) of the catalytic activity of the wild-type enzyme and do not exhibit appreciable changes in the substrate Km values. The pH dependence of the wild-type enzyme activity (pK = 7.4) is shifted toward higher values for mutants K185A and D241A (pK values of 8.4 and 8.5, respectively). For the other mutants, smaller changes have been observed. Consequently, K185 and D241 may constitute a proton relay system that can assist in the abstraction of a proton from the OH group of IPM during catalysis. Molecular dynamics simulations provide strong support for the neutral character of K185 in the resting state of the enzyme, which implies that K185 abstracts the proton from the substrate and D241 assists the process via electrostatic interactions with K185. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations revealed a significant increase in the activation energy of the hydride transfer of the redox step for both D217A and D241A mutants. Crystal structure analysis of the molecular contacts of the investigated residues in the enzyme-substrate complex revealed their additional importance (in particular that of K185, D217, and D241) in stabilizing the domain-closed active conformation. In accordance with this, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicated the complete absence of domain closure in the cases of D217A and D241A mutants, while only partial domain closure could be detected for the other mutants. This suggests that the same residues that are important for catalysis are also essential for inducing domain closure.

Coat Protein-Dependent Behavior of Poly(ethylene glycol) Tails in Iron Oxide Core Virus-like Nanoparticles

Here we explore the formation of virus-like nanoparticles (VNPs) utilizing 22-24 nm iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) as cores and proteins derived from viral capsids of brome mosaic virus (BMV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) as shells. To accomplish that, hydrophobic FeO/Fe3O4 NPs prepared by thermal decomposition of iron oleate were coated with poly(maleic acid-alt-octadecene) modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) tails of different lengths and grafting densities. MRI studies show high r2/r1 relaxivity ratios of these NPs that are practically independent of the polymer coating type. The versatility and flexibility of the viral capsid protein are on display as they readily form shells that exceed their native size. The location of the long PEG tails upon shell formation was investigated by electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. PEG tails were located differently in the BMV and HBV VNPs, with the BMV VNPs preferentially entrapping the tails in the interior and the HBV VNPs allowing the tails to extend through the capsid, which highlights the differences between intersubunit interactions in these two icosahedral viruses. The robustness of the assembly reaction and the protruding PEG tails, potentially useful in modulating the immune response, make the systems introduced here a promising platform for biomedical applications.

A posteriori determination of the useful data range for small-angle scattering experiments on dilute monodisperse systems

Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) experiments on solutions provide rapidly decaying scattering curves, often with a poor signal-to-noise ratio, especially at higher angles. On modern instruments, the noise is partially compensated for by oversampling, thanks to the fact that the angular increment in the data is small compared with that needed to describe adequately the local behaviour and features of the scattering curve. Given a (noisy) experimental data set, an important question arises as to which part of the data still contains useful information and should be taken into account for the interpretation and model building. Here, it is demonstrated that, for monodisperse systems, the useful experimental data range is defined by the number of meaningful Shannon channels that can be determined from the data set. An algorithm to determine this number and thus the data range is developed, and it is tested on a number of simulated data sets with various noise levels and with different degrees of oversampling, corresponding to typical SAXS/SANS experiments. The method is implemented in a computer program and examples of its application to analyse the experimental data recorded under various conditions are presented. The program can be employed to discard experimental data containing no useful information in automated pipelines, in modelling procedures, and for data deposition or publication. The software is freely accessible to academic users.

Structural insights into Ca2+-calmodulin regulation of Plectin 1a-integrin β4 interaction in hemidesmosomes

The mechanical stability of epithelial cells, which protect organisms from harmful external factors, is maintained by hemidesmosomes via the interaction between plectin 1a (P1a) and integrin α6β4. Binding of calcium-calmodulin (Ca²⁺-CaM) to P1a together with phosphorylation of integrin β4 disrupts this complex, resulting in disassembly of hemidesmosomes. We present structures of the P1a actin binding domain either in complex with the N-ter lobe of Ca²⁺-CaM or with the first pair of integrin β4 fibronectin domains. Ca²⁺-CaM binds to the N-ter isoform-specific tail of P1a in a unique manner, via its N-ter lobe in an extended conformation. Structural, cell biology, and biochemical studies suggest the following model: binding of Ca²⁺-CaM to an intrinsically disordered N-ter segment of plectin converts it to an α helix, which repositions calmodulin to displace integrin β4 by steric repulsion. This model could serve as a blueprint for studies aimed at understanding how Ca²⁺-CaM or EF-hand motifs regulate F-actin-based cytoskeleton.

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Calmodulin binds to plectin 1a via its N-terminal lobe in an extended conformation

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The disordered N-ter tail of plectin 1a folds in an α helix upon calmodulin binding

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Suitably positioned calmodulin displaces integrin β4 from complex with plectin 1a

Allosteric regulation of deubiquitylase activity through ubiquitination

Ataxin-3, the protein responsible for spinocerebellar ataxia type-3, is a cysteine protease that specifically cleaves poly-ubiquitin chains and participates in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. The enzymatic activity resides in the N-terminal Josephin domain. An unusual feature of ataxin-3 is its low enzymatic activity especially for mono-ubiquitinated substrates and short ubiquitin chains. However, specific ubiquitination at lysine 117 in the Josephin domain activates ataxin-3 through an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigate the effects of K117 ubiquitination on the structure and enzymatic activity of the protein. We show that covalently linked ubiquitin rests on the Josephin domain, forming a compact globular moiety and occupying a ubiquitin binding site previously thought to be essential for substrate recognition. In doing so, ubiquitination enhances enzymatic activity by locking the enzyme in an activated state. Our results indicate that ubiquitin functions both as a substrate and as an allosteric regulatory factor. We provide a novel example in which a conformational switch controls the activity of an enzyme that mediates deubiquitination.

The conundrum of the high-affinity NGF binding site formation unveiled?

The homodimer NGF (nerve growth factor) exerts its neuronal activity upon binding to either or both distinct transmembrane receptors TrkA and p75(NTR). Functionally relevant interactions between NGF and these receptors have been proposed, on the basis of binding and signaling experiments. Namely, a ternary TrkA/NGF/p75(NTR) complex is assumed to be crucial for the formation of the so-called high-affinity NGF binding sites. However, the existence, on the cell surface, of direct extracellular interactions is still a matter of controversy. Here, supported by a small-angle x-ray scattering solution study of human NGF, we propose that it is the oligomerization state of the secreted NGF that may drive the formation of the ternary heterocomplex. Our data demonstrate the occurrence in solution of a concentration-dependent distribution of dimers and dimer of dimers. A head-to-head molecular assembly configuration of the NGF dimer of dimers has been validated. Overall, these findings prompted us to suggest a new, to our knowledge, model for the transient ternary heterocomplex, i.e., a TrkA/NGF/p75(NTR) ligand/receptors molecular assembly with a (2:4:2) stoichiometry. This model would neatly solve the problem posed by the unconventional orientation of p75(NTR) with respect to TrkA, as being found in the crystal structures of the TrkA/NGF and p75(NTR)/NGF complexes.

The structure and regulation of human muscle α-actinin

The spectrin superfamily of proteins plays key roles in assembling the actin cytoskeleton in various cell types, crosslinks actin filaments, and acts as scaffolds for the assembly of large protein complexes involved in structural integrity and mechanosensation, as well as cell signaling. α-actinins in particular are the major actin crosslinkers in muscle Z-disks, focal adhesions, and actin stress fibers. We report a complete high-resolution structure of the 200 kDa α-actinin-2 dimer from striated muscle and explore its functional implications on the biochemical and cellular level. The structure provides insight into the phosphoinositide-based mechanism controlling its interaction with sarcomeric proteins such as titin, lays a foundation for studying the impact of pathogenic mutations at molecular resolution, and is likely to be broadly relevant for the regulation of spectrin-like proteins.

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Structure of human α-actinin-2 in an autoinhibited closed conformation

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Facilitation of PIP2-induced allosteric modulation for opening and titin binding

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Essentiality of structural flexibility for crosslinking antiparallel F-actin

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Relevance for the intramolecular pseudoligand regulation mechanism of the spectrin family

Flexibility of the linker between the domains of DNA methyltransferase SsoII revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering: implications for transcription regulation in SsoII restriction-modification system

(Cytosine-5)-DNA methyltransferase SsoII (M.SsoII) consists of a methyltransferase domain (residues 72-379) and an N-terminal region (residues 1-71) which regulates transcription in SsoII restriction-modification system. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is employed here to study the low resolution structure of M.SsoII and its complex with DNA containing the methylation site. The shapes reconstructed ab initio from the SAXS data reveal two distinct protein domains of unequal size. The larger domain matches the crystallographic structure of a homologous DNA methyltransferase HhaI (M.HhaI), and the cleft in this domain is occupied by DNA in the model of the complex reconstructed from the SAXS data. This larger domain can thus be identified as the methyltransferase domain whereas the other domain represents the N-terminal region. Homology modeling of the M.SsoII structure is performed by using the model of M.HhaI for the methyltransferase domain and representing the N-terminal region either as a flexible chain of dummy residues or as a rigid structure of a homologous protein (phage 434 repressor) connected to the methyltransferase domain by a short flexible linker. Both models are compatible with the SAXS data and demonstrate high mobility of the N-terminal region. The linker flexibility might play an important role in the function of M.SsoII as a transcription factor.

Novel thermosensitive telechelic PEGs with antioxidant activity: synthesis, molecular properties and conformational behaviour

We report on the tailor-made polymer conjugates, which are highly compelling for biomedical applications due to their antioxidant activity and the adjustable thermosensitive properties.

Ferredoxin competes with bacterial frataxin in binding to the desulfurase IscS

The bacterial iron-sulfur cluster (isc) operon is an essential machine that is highly conserved from bacteria to primates and responsible for iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. Among its components are the genes for the desulfurase IscS that provides sulfur for cluster formation, and a specialized ferredoxin (Fdx) whose role is still unknown. Preliminary evidence suggests that IscS and Fdx interact but nothing is known about the binding site and the role of the interaction. Here, we have characterized the interaction using a combination of biophysical tools and mutagenesis. By modeling the Fdx·IscS complex based on experimental restraints we show that Fdx competes for the binding site of CyaY, the bacterial ortholog of frataxin and sits in a cavity close to the enzyme active site. By in vivo mutagenesis in bacteria we prove the importance of the surface of interaction for cluster formation. Our data provide the first structural insights into the role of Fdx in cluster assembly.

Structural analysis of monomeric retroviral reverse transcriptase in complex with an RNA/DNA hybrid

A key step in proliferation of retroviruses is the conversion of their RNA genome to double-stranded DNA, a process catalysed by multifunctional reverse transcriptases (RTs). Dimeric and monomeric RTs have been described, the latter exemplified by the enzyme of Moloney murine leukaemia virus. However, structural information is lacking that describes the substrate binding mechanism for a monomeric RT. We report here the first crystal structure of a complex between an RNA/DNA hybrid substrate and polymerase-connection fragment of the single-subunit RT from xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus, a close relative of Moloney murine leukaemia virus. A comparison with p66/p51 human immunodeficiency virus-1 RT shows that substrate binding around the polymerase active site is conserved but differs in the thumb and connection subdomains. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to model full-length xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus RT, demonstrating that its mobile RNase H domain becomes ordered in the presence of a substrate-a key difference between monomeric and dimeric RTs.

Self-assembly and conformational heterogeneity of the AXH domain of ataxin-1: an unusual example of a chameleon fold

Ataxin-1 is a human protein responsible for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a hereditary disease associated with protein aggregation and misfolding. Essential for ataxin-1 aggregation is the anomalous expansion of a polyglutamine tract near the protein N-terminus, but the sequence-wise distant AXH domain modulates and contributes to the process. The AXH domain is also involved in the nonpathologic functions of the protein, including a variety of intermolecular interactions with other cellular partners. The domain forms a globular dimer in solution and displays a dimer of dimers arrangement in the crystal asymmetric unit. Here, we have characterized the domain further by studying its behavior in the crystal and in solution. We solved two new structures of the domain crystallized under different conditions that confirm an inherent plasticity of the AXH fold. In solution, the domain is present as a complex equilibrium mixture of monomeric, dimeric, and higher molecular weight species. This behavior, together with the tendency of the AXH fold to be trapped in local conformations, and the multiplicity of protomer interfaces, makes the AXH domain an unusual example of a chameleon protein whose properties bear potential relevance for the aggregation properties of ataxin-1 and thus for disease.

Structural flexibility of RNA as molecular basis for Hfq chaperone function

In enteric bacteria, many small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) associate with the RNA chaperone host factor Q (Hfq) and often require the protein for regulation of target mRNAs. Previous studies suggested that the hexameric Escherichia coli Hfq (Hfq(Ec)) binds sRNAs on the proximal site, whereas the distal site has been implicated in Hfq-mRNA interactions. Employing a combination of small angle X-ray scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance and biochemical approaches, we report the structural analysis of a 1:1 complex of Hfq(Ec) with a 34-nt-long subsequence of a natural substrate sRNA, DsrA (DsrA(34)). This sRNA is involved in post-transcriptional regulation of the E. coli rpoS mRNA encoding the stationary phase sigma factor RpoS. The molecular envelopes of Hfq(Ec) in complex with DsrA(34) revealed an overall asymmetric shape of the complex in solution with the protein maintaining its doughnut-like structure, whereas the extended DsrA(34) is flexible and displays an ensemble of different spatial arrangements. These results are discussed in terms of a model, wherein the structural flexibility of RNA ligands bound to Hfq stochastically facilitates base pairing and provides the foundation for the RNA chaperone function inherent to Hfq.